NEWS YOU OUGHT TO KNOW
Man gets 18 months in prison for threatening to kill Trump
DALLAS (AP) — A 36-year-old Texas man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump, prosecutors said.
Mickael Gedlu was sentenced Friday, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox’s office in Dallas. He pleaded guilty in December to making threats against Trump.
According to plea documents, Gedlu admitted he threatened Trump’s life on social media, stating on YouTube: “I am waiting for Trump to visit Dallas before I attempt to assassinate him.”
During court proceedings, prosecutors said that on May 31, 2018, Gedlu was observed across the street from Dallas’ Adolphus Hotel just 30 minutes before Trump arrived there for a fundraiser. Dallas police officers noticed Gedlu holding a “Kill Trump” sign and detained him as he screamed “kill the president.”
Prosecutors said the U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation with the assistance of Dallas police.
Mayor Eric Johnson’s statement on Governor Abbott’s plan to reopen Texas businesses
DALLAS — Mayor Eric Johnson released the following statement on Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to reopen segments of the Texas economy:
“The governor has made a decision and, under Texas law, he has the final say in these matters, so now it is incumbent upon all Texans to ensure that this plan is successful. Dallas residents and local leaders have worked hard to flatten the curve of COVID-19’s spread, and we must continue our commitment to social distancing practices, good hygiene, protecting our vulnerable populations, and doing all we can to increase testing and contact tracing.”
Oklahoma, Utah face scrutiny over malaria drug purchases
By SEAN MURPHY, BRADY McCOMBS and LINDSAY WHITEHURST
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican state leaders in Oklahoma and Utah are facing scrutiny for spending millions of dollars combined to purchase malaria drugs promoted by President Trump to treat COVID-19 patients that many other states obtained for free and that doctors warned shouldn’t be used without more testing.
While governments in at least 20 other states obtained more than 30 million doses of the drug through donations from the federal reserve or private companies, Oklahoma and Utah instead bought them from private pharmaceutical companies.
Top officials in both states chalked up the decisions to “the fog of war.”
Austin City Hall vandalized as Texas readies for slow reboot
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The City Hall in the capital of Texas was vandalized sometime late Monday or early Tuesday with red paint and anti-capitalism graffiti messages as the state prepares to slowly reopen of one of the world’s largest economies that has been closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Red paint was splattered across the front entrance of the building in Austin and messages were spay-painted on the steps outside.
One message read: “MAY 1 INTERNATIONAL WORKERS DAY” with a hammer and sickle. Another said: “U.S. imperialism is the virus” and “socialist revolution is the cure!”
The defacement occurred after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday outlined a plan that allow the state’s restaurants, retailers, movie theaters and malls to start letting customers trickle into their establishments starting May 1.
The governor’s move comes as Texas and other states are processing a record-high surge in jobless claims and food banks are seeing spiking demands. However, testing for the virus remains limited.
It was just the latest act of vandalism at Austin’s City Hall. In March, a man was arrested and accused of incinerating a statue of a grackle that stood outside the building, burning the art installation to the ground.
According to state health officials, Texas had more than 25,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Monday, with 663 deaths and more than 11,100 deemed recovered. The number of infections is likely higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. For some, especially older adults and those with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and be life-threatening.
